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Dragon Emperor in Pokemon World.
The return of Itachi
I am Sasuke. Why should I defect from Konoha.
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On Thursday, July 28, 2005, after two delays and hundreds of hours of lawyer time, the Players Union and the NBA reached an agreement, and a six-year collective bargaining agreement was officially released.
At 6 PM that day, both sides would hold a signing ceremony, the new collective bargaining agreement would take effect, and the free agency market would officially open.
In these negotiations, the Players Union compromised with the NBA on the age issue.
In the future, there would be no more high school rookies.
At the same time, to alleviate the burden on teams, eligible teams could also amnesty players before August 15.
Clay Lee's old teammate, New York Knicks championship guard Allan Houston, brought a huge burden to the Orlando Magic, and this clause was prepared for him.
Of course, if the Dallas Mavericks didn't want to pay a hefty luxury tax to the NBA, then they would also have to amnesty Michael Finley.
This veteran, affected by injuries, would become a free agent, and as soon as the news broke in the morning, many teams began recruiting him in the afternoon.
The NBA's lawyers would then need to re-introduce the new collective bargaining agreement in detail to each team, and free agent signings would officially begin next tuesday at noon.
For basketball commentators, everyone was more interested in the new season's salary cap, and many people were happy that the New York Knicks no longer had salary bonuses.
For the 2005-2006 season, the salary cap was set at $49.5 million, an increase of over $5 million compared to last season.
Teams exceeding the cap could use the Mid-Level Exception to sign free agents, with the full Mid-Level Exception being $5 million.
The luxury tax line was officially released before the new season even started, which was a first in NBA history.
When a player's salary exceeded $61.7 million, a 1:1 luxury tax would be levied, and the New York Knicks indeed had to pay, but James Dolan did not express an opinion, seemingly considering it a minor matter.
ESPN was still gossiping about various transfer rumors, and on TNT's program, the trio had turned into general managers, calculating the New York Knicks' salaries.
The rumor that Reggie Miller would join TNT seemed to put some pressure on the big-mouthed Charles Barkley, and his outrageous remarks had been increasing over the past half-month.
The topic of their dispute was whether Clay Lee would take a pay cut in the future to maintain team strength.
In the studio, Charles Barkley used his professional career experience as evidence to explain the impact of high salaries on a team:
"If they choose to maintain a high salary contract, after six years, the New York Knicks will become Clay Lee's personal toy."
"After signing a six-year contract, Clay Lee can earn $28 million at the age of 33, which already takes up half of the salary cap."
"If he wants to continue competing for championships and keep the team competitive, then a pay cut is the only option."
"I made a sacrifice when I joined the Houston Rockets. In fact, I could have ended my career with the Phoenix Suns and earned more, but in the end, I chose a championship."
According to the latest collective bargaining agreement, Clay Lee will enjoy a starting salary of 35% of the salary cap.
In the new season, Clay Lee's personal salary will reach $17.32 million, and based on that, it will increase by 12.5% annually, with a six-year contract of approximately $137 million about to be released.
As for why he would sign for six years, it was naturally to follow the collective bargaining agreement, which was the choice to maximize personal interests.
Barkley was half right.
In fact, even without the clause, Lee would soon be able to enjoy a starting salary of 35% because he would soon be a veteran who had played in the NBA for over 10 years.
After the new season begins, among active players, only O'Neal can surpass Lee in salary, and the gap between other max-contract players and Lee will widen year by year.
And in the latter part of his career, as long as he doesn't take a pay cut, Clay Lee's salary will exceed Michael Jordan's, making him the highest-paid player in NBA history.
Kenny Smith really didn't want to discourage his partner, but upon hearing the topic of a pay cut, he still sided with the players and said:
"I believe that Clay Lee, at 33, will still maintain excellent competitive form."
"As for a pay cut? As long as he stays healthy, this situation will simply not happen."
"Clay Lee has already won seven championships. He even has a chance to surpass Bill Russell."
"Even if he doesn't pursue such a goal, this contract is what he deserves. He changed New York basketball, and the Dolan Family will always offer max contracts. They won't give other teams a chance."
Ernie Johnson felt his partner seemed to be jealous of Lee, and then pointedly said:
"We shouldn't worry about the New York Knicks' salaries. They've won too much, and they have the highest ticket prices in the NBA."
"Next week, the NBA will announce the new season's schedule, and if New York continues to appear in the Christmas War, they can even sell tickets for that day in advance."
"Season tickets will sell out as soon as Clay Lee completes his contract extension."
"Even if they have to pay large luxury taxes for the next ten years, the New York Knicks won't hesitate."
Jealousy causes plasmolysis!
In the studio, the thought of Lee making a lot of money without having to fight with the team made Charles Barkley feel uncomfortable.
Suddenly, he understood Pippen's feelings back then.
They were both NBA players, so why could some people earn so much?
Feeling unhappy, Charles Barkley no longer argued, and sarcastically said dryly:
"No more championships. Clay Lee will definitely compromise for money in the future, and his mind will no longer be on basketball!"
"âŠ"
For NBA players, salary is always the most important thing, and it is the goal that all players pursue.
On the last weekend of July, O'Neal started bragging again at an event held at the University of Miami Conference Center.
Facing a Miami Herald reporter, O'Neal, wearing beach shorts and a loose white T-shirt, vowed:
"The Heat will make big moves. No one can stop us next season."
"The great Pat Riley has made the team even stronger. It's so much fun!"
"Look at these enthusiastic fans. I'm especially excited. I can't wait to start playing!"
"To give back to this city, I chose to take a pay cut. You know, the Heat originally planned to pay me $30 million a year, but I rejected that offer."
"I always play for championships. A pay cut can keep the team competitive. You know, at the end of my career, I don't care how much money I make at all."
"âŠ"
Miami sports reporters were speechless.
Unless fans had amnesia, no one would forget why Shaq chose to leave the Los Angeles Lakers.
However, pretty words always gain the approval of fans, and the weekend reports naturally praised O'Neal's sacrifice for the Miami Heat.
Recently, sports media had been discussing Lee's big contract, and it was the same in Miami:
"Shaq, do you think Lee should take a pay cut for a championship when he turns 33?"
Although O'Neal was envious, he would not speak for the team and gave his answer without hesitation:
"Why always ask players to sacrifice? No one is more successful than Clay Lee. Salary represents respect, and championship players do not compromise."
O'Neal, who was 33 this year, had actually been forced to take a pay cut.
Although Shaq also wanted $30 million, no one in the NBA offered him that salary.
After saying two insincere things, O'Neal felt increasingly sour and, after greeting everyone, stopped discussing the topic.
The Miami Herald reporter noticed the "first center's" mood and then, remembering that Lee had just completed his contract renewal with Upper Deck, suddenly understood O'Neal:
"As long as someone is paying, no one will refuse more money."
On sunday, July 31, after touring London, Lee and his entourage arrived in Manchester.
The training center near Carrington Village was built by Manchester United starting in 1999, and the youth training facilities were not fully completed until 2002.
The training center cost over ÂŁ30 million to build and can be considered a world-class youth training environment.
Next month, on the 13th, the Premier League will start, and Manchester United will also face Everton.
Sky Sports, always eager for a spectacle, had already revealed news that the Manchester United Supporters' Association was preparing to protest Red Football Capital.
The Guardian was equally enthusiastic in calculating the figures for fans, telling everyone that Manchester United would bear huge debts, setting a precedent in European football.
As for The Sun and other tabloids, they focused on Ivanka and Melinda, who were accompanying Clay Lee, and seriously compared them to the players' WAGs.
However, what interested British fans the most was that Lee would welcome two children in October, and the new boss had too many girlfriends.
The Carrington training center had a very good environment.
Besides a massive main building, the rest were beautiful football fields.
Ivanka, visiting a famous football club for the first time, watched the children train with the staff and couldn't help but exclaim:
"It's hard to see such a huge football training ground in America!"
Although the accompanying staff member thought the beautiful girl in front of him didn't understand football rules, he still explained with a sense of superiority:
"This is Manchester. Every child dreams of playing for Manchester United, and perhaps the future superstar is playing right before our eyes."
Wearing a sleeveless blue dress, Ivanka nodded politely and, while holding Lee's arm tightly, whispered:
"Why are there fans here resisting us too?"
Dressed in a black suit, Lee had specifically chosen a white shirt and red tie for today.
Feeling the big bunny beside him a little nervous, he immediately comforted her:
"Communication can eliminate misunderstandings. They are just worried about the club."
"Thanks to the British football finance experts, the fans know we are burdened with nearly 500 million pounds of debt, so I understand everyone's emotions."
David Gill, the Chief Executive, who was following behind, looked a bit awkward.
Although they had done a lot of work, hundreds of Manchester United fans still came to protest these past few days.
This was also related to Manchester United's captain Keane leaving the team.
Many Manchester United fans were reluctant to part with this tough guy and took the opportunity to continue venting their dissatisfaction.
Noticing Gill's discomfort, Bobby Axelrod, also dressed in a red tie, proactively put his arm around his shoulder and said nonchalantly:
"Last month, the protests were even more severe than now. It was the first time I was escorted out of the stadium in a police car."
"I think these loyal Manchester United fans should have calmed down by now. At least the number of protestors has decreased significantly, and that's thanks to you and Sir Alex Ferguson."
Melinda, who was holding Lee's left arm, subtly rolled her eyes.
The situation was more serious than what was being said.
She knew the opponents even wanted to form a new football club:
"FC United? I don't know what those Manchester United fans want to do. If they supported the team before, they should have competed with us for equity."
"Now they're protesting, but we won't sell the club to them. It's a boring move. Clay hasn't even revealed his plan yet."
"They won't do anything but create violence and chaos."
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP was involved in the acquisition process from start to finish.
Melinda was still dressed in a business suit, and her pinned-up blonde hair made her look somewhat assertive, and her words even ignited anger in some staff members:
"If there hadn't been an inside man, Manchester United wouldn't have changed hands."
The group toured the training ground accompanied by staff.
When they returned to the main building, Sir Bobby Charlton, a Manchester United legend, also came to greet them.
The 68-year-old Charlton, completely bald, wearing a black suit with a red striped tie, an old man with glasses, smiled and stepped forward to shake Lee's hand:
"This is a good start, Clay. We believe Red Football Capital is making an effort to understand British football fans."
"Just as you said, communication can dispel fear. Once the Manchester United fans hear your plan, they certainly won't worry about the club's future anymore."
While showing respect for this legendary footballer, Lee did not forget to continue painting a rosy picture:
"Yesterday, we toured the facilities in the main building. The large stadium, indoor track, football and basketball courts, swimming pool, and spa center are all fantastic!"
"However, I feel that the team's medical center is not complete enough, and it also lacks a sports science department."
"In the future, we will expand the comprehensive building. Believe me, buying the club is definitely not for making money. I have always been a Manchester United fan. This is a dream investment!"
Although the old man knew this was a colorful pie in the sky, seeing the happy smile on Lee's face, he still nodded cooperatively:
"I think the Manchester United fan representatives will be excited to hear this news!"
"..."
When Lee appeared in the conference room, there were not only Manchester United fan representatives and some media reporters, but also the inside man Head Coach Ferguson and the inside man player, left-winger Ryan Giggs.
After everyone was seated around the large conference table, David Gill quickly said:
"The league is about to begin. I believe the Manchester United fan association should stop protesting."
"This has already affected our players' condition. Everything at the club is normal, and transfers have met expectations. We all need to look forward."
The Manchester United fan representative was a fiery red-nosed old man.
Hearing this, he immediately shouted loudly:
"You are all traitors! You only lick the Yankees' asses..."
Fortunately, another calm middle-aged Manchester United fan pulled his companion back and stared in Lee's direction, saying loudly:
"After 1931, Manchester United had a deficit for the first time!"
"Leveraged buyout, why should we trust you? Debt will drag down the club."
As an inside man, Ferguson couldn't bear to hear these words and frowned, about to scold the other party, but Lee waved his hand and turned to look at the smiling Bobby.
No longer just watching, Bobby placed his arms on the table and responded in a relaxed tone:
"Debt will not affect the team. We trust Sir Alex Ferguson, and we will not interfere with the team's football operations."
"Leave professional matters to professionals. We will expand the club's influence. The business model of British sports is too crude."
"With our help, the club can generate more revenue."
"I think what Manchester United fans care about is performance and championships. As for who owns the club, that's not important."
Seeing that the other party wanted to say that the Manchester United fans owned the club, Lee also added:
"AIG is interested in providing the team with a lucrative jersey sponsorship deal, which is our influence."
"Mr. Gill should have explained the team's plan to you. Not to mention future investments, the expansion of Old Trafford's seating capacity will be visible to everyone very soon."
"This is the sincerity of Red Football Capital. We are willing to understand British football culture, and at the same time, we will bring more professional operating methods."
"By the way, in the future, I personally also plan to invest in the UK, and I intend to reside here long-term. As long as I have time, I will also appear at Old Trafford to watch games."
"Don't doubt my love for football. Perhaps I can play as a center forward. Honestly, most Manchester United fans' football skills are not as good as mine."
The inside man Ryan Giggs finally found an opportunity to interject and immediately followed up with praise:
"This is true, we witnessed it a long time ago, David also said..."
Before he could finish speaking, Ferguson glared at him.
As a meritorious coach of the team, he quickly assured the Manchester United fans:
"Manchester United hasn't won the Premier League title in almost two years. I swear, the club will soon become the dominant force in English and European football again!"
"Don't be prejudiced. I assure everyone that when I asked them for money to buy players, I was never refused. I am still in charge of the team."
Lee watched with a smile as the old man declared his sovereignty to the Manchester United fans.
With the help of the inside man, the Manchester United fan representatives quickly compromised.
Ivanka quietly listened to both sides' demands, blinking her big eyes, while Melinda brought up the previous topic again, saying bluntly:
"Disband that new football club! The British media are making a mockery of us!"
"Anger will not help the club win championships. You should trust Manchester United."
Lee quietly patted the thigh of the curvy girl on his right, as if giving her a thumbs-up.
Melinda snorted softly and quickly started arguing with the Manchester United fan representatives again.
David Gill also maintained his persona as a good-natured person, remaining silent most of the time, except for occasionally stroking his gray-black short hair.
The rest of the time, he just smiled.
Duncan Drasdo, the Chief Executive of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, ultimately chose "trust" and, after communicating with the Manchester United fan representatives, concluded:
"We will stop protesting in the first round of the league, but everyone will keep an eye on you!"
"Manchester United belongs to the Manchester United fans."
Lee nodded in agreement and also gave Bobby a look.
The two smiled at each other, both knowing that the after-effects of the acquisition had temporarily disappeared.
In the future, they could happily reap the rewards.
On August 1st, Sky Sports vividly reported on Lee's meeting with the Manchester United fans.
The Guardian even put a photo of Lee, Bobby, and Melinda holding a photo of the Manchester United team on its front page:
"Manchester United will enter a new era!"
Unlike basketball, football has a greater influence, and the European football world was also following the drama.
As for Asia, related news had been reported early on.
Korean football fans were the most excited, as Park Ji-sung had just transferred from PSV Eindhoven to Manchester United.
The Dong-a Ilbo even vowed to the Manchester United fans that their big star would be taken care of, emphasizing the idea of "one family" among people of East Asian descent!
It was also on this day that, thanks to the charm of football, news of Clay Lee and Red Football Capital swept across the world.
On tuesday, August 2nd, at noon, NBA free agents could sign agreements.
The New York Knicks immediately announced the renewal of Lee's contract:
"6 years, $137 million. The future belongs to Clay Lee and New York!"
The sixth year of the contract was a player option, and Lee also obtained a trade veto.
Recently, James Dolan's move to re-sign veterans has been applauded by New York Knicks fans.
Amidst the praise, the curly-haired owner did not deeply participate in the free market, but simply and decisively spent money to re-sign championship members.
While announcing the signing of Lee, James Dolan, in an interview with the New York Media, once again demonstrated his wealth and abundance:
"High salaries will not affect the team. Lee will always play for the New York Knicks."
"With seven championships, Lee doesn't need to take a pay cut, nor does he need to consider luxury tax issues."
"In New York, true superstars don't take pay cuts. This is how the New York Knicks show respect!"
...
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